Ex-Sunderland winger Callum McManaman makes a transfer prediction after sealing surprise overseas move

Callum McManaman has opened up on his surprise move to Australia – and has tipped more players to follow his path after the introduction of the League One salary cap.
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McManaman, who spent much of the summer training with Wigan Athletic, has penned a two-year deal with A-League side Melbourne Victory.

That’s despite a host of EFL clubs being linked with a summer move for the former Black Cat.

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But for McManaman, the timing – coupled with the fact EFL clubs are no longer able to offer the wages they were able to in the past – made the move to Australia difficult to turn down.

Former Sunderland winger Callum McManamanFormer Sunderland winger Callum McManaman
Former Sunderland winger Callum McManaman

And he believes more players will take a similar route moving forward.

"Especially with everything that’s going on here at the moment – it’s so depressing – it’s great timing, I can’t wait,” he said.

“I got good vibes about it right from the start. I’m quite a decisive person when I need to be, I don’t mess about, I go for it.

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“The season in Australia doesn’t start until January, so I’ve got plenty of time to get ready for that.

“And I think with everything’s that’s going on – and the wage cap – more players might be tempted to go out there.”

"I’ve never been to Australia before, but I’ve heard Melbourne’s a great city in which to live,” he continued.

“Every single person who’s been has told me how great it is, I’ve not heard one bad word which you’d normally expect from a few.”

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Many expected McManaman to put pen to paper on a deal at former club Wigan, but the winger says a deal was never on the table as the Latics endured a tricky summer.

"Leam (Richardson) was brilliant to be fair, he rang me and said he knew it didn’t work out for me the last time (during the 2018-19 campaign), and I should have played more,” McManaman added, while speaking to Wigan Today.

“But he said with everything that was going on I should just come in and train.

“It wasn’t a case of, ‘We want to sign you for next year’, it was literally to just come in and train, and see what happens.

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“Obviously I knew a fair few of the lads, and I just loved it – as usual.

“It was like being back home, and I was flying in training and flying in the practice games.

“That was when Australia came up, they were really interested and put the offer on the table – and Wigan obviously weren’t in a position to do anything.

“I’d have loved to have stayed around but it didn’t work out like that, it all happened so quick.

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“It’s been heartbreaking to see what’s happened to Wigan over the last few months, it sounded an absolute stitch-up job.

“But the way the club, the players, the ex-players, the fans and the town came together showed the spirit of the club is still there – and hopefully there’s some good news on the way.”

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